Media Studies key terms

A theory proposing that media messages directly affect a passive audience, with little resistance or variation in response.

A recognisable cultural or social representation with lasting significance or influence.

Recognisable visual features associated with a genre, theme or subject, such as guns and explosions in action films.

A set of ideas, beliefs and values that shapes how the world is understood and represented.

The alteration of an image, for example through cropping, retouching or changing its colours, which can affect its meaning.

A story suggested rather than fully shown, which the audience helps construct from available clues.

An optional purchase of digital goods or services made within an app using real money.

A media business that is not owned or controlled by a larger parent organisation.

A film made outside the control of the major film studios, often through smaller production companies and partnerships.

A record company that is not owned by one of the major music companies. An independent label can still operate commercially and release highly successful music.

Media organisations operating outside the ownership or control of a larger parent organisation. Independence does not necessarily mean being not-for-profit.

Communication within the world of a media product that the audience observes or overhears without being addressed directly.

Using media to gain knowledge, learn about events or understand an issue.

Using media to connect with others, gain material for conversation or feel part of a group or community.

Legally protected creative material or branding which can be used commercially, including through authorised adaptations and licensing.

The ability of users to participate in a media experience and influence what happens through their actions.

A production made jointly by companies from more than one country, sharing resources, funding or expertise.

A company that provides access to the internet, rather than necessarily creating or hosting the content people access.

A relationship in which one media product refers to another, influencing meaning through recognition or association.

The Independent Press Standards Organisation: an industry-funded regulator that handles complaints about participating newspapers and magazines under the Editors’ Code of Practice.

An assessment of how convincing a claim is, supported by relevant evidence and explanation.

The geographical or legal area within which an authority has power to apply and enforce rules.

The placement of elements beside one another so that audiences can compare them or connect their meanings.

The arrangement of images, text and other elements on a page or screen.

A payment collected from television licence holders which provides public funding for the BBC.

Money raised through television licences, which provides the BBC’s main source of funding.

Permission to use another organisation’s intellectual property, such as its characters or branding, under an agreement.